Boeing Machinists debate each other at union hall

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»Play VideoMachinists union shop steward Lester Mullen, left, explains the leadership position as he talks with a few of a small group of machinists union members who had rallied in favor of voting on Boeing's last contract offer in front of the machinists' union hall Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, in Everett, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A small rally Wednesday led by Machinists calling for a vote on Boeing's latest contract proposal ended with an animated debate in front of the union hall.

Chanting "give us a vote" and holding signs, about three dozen people marched from Boeing Co.'s campus to the local union hall in Everett. The rally came six days after local union leaders said the company's offer was too similar to one that workers rejected last month.

"We just wanted to be heard," said James Christofferson, who marched with the pro-vote crowd. "We think they made enough significant changes to the contract that it would change the way it went last time."

A handful of other union workers who oppose a new vote also gathered at the hall. The two sides engaged in an animated debate about whether a vote should happen.

Aaron Powell was one of the men who met the rallying group. He said that despite the small number of members rallying, they can still create a rift within the union.

Powell said he understands the group's fear of Boeing potentially leaving the region, but he said the union is stronger if the membership remains together.

"We don't vote on every single offer," he said. "This wasn't even an offer. It was just a question."

Boeing has offered to build much of the new 777X airplane in the Puget Sound area, but the company wants to get workers off traditional pension plans, replacing the benefit with a defined-contribution savings plan. The company said it is considering moving production of the plane to another state if it can't reach a deal with Machinists in Washington.

The union rejected Boeing's initial proposal by a 3-to-1 margin.

"We're pretty sure the pensions are going away anyways," Christofferson said. "We just kind of feel like we don't have a choice. We at least we want to be able to vote. I don't care if they vote yes or no. At least we get to tell the company and union how we feel."